SESKU Area
SE (South Elmsall)
This former mining town has a lively market and shopping area. It is home to the Frickley Colliery Brass Band. South Elmsall Market has been on the present site since 1927. Prior to that date there were stalls by the roadside in front of the Plough Public House and other stalls dotted along Barnsley road. It is also the birthplace of Colonel John Morris who captured Pontefract Castle for Charles 1st, in 1648 and holding onto to it for 10 months against overwhelming Parliamentary forces. It is also said that John Nevison a famous Highwayman known as Swift Nick (1639 – 4 May 1684) roamed the town and other local villages, around the Pontefract area, robbing travellers.
Pontefract Castle in the early 17th Century.
SK (South Kirkby)
In history the villages South Kirkby and Moorthorpe were mentioned in 1086 for the first time. For some centuries they were farmers' villages until the Industrial Revolution started. In 1881 the coal mine "South Kirkby Colliery" was founded. The coal mining caused an increase in population and the villages extended more and more. At its height SK Colliery employed over 3000 workers, it was affectionately known as 'Big SK' as it on more than one occasion yielded in excess of a million tons of coal in a single financial year. In 1988 "South Kirkby Colliery" was closed and demolished. A statue of remembrance has been erected for the miners. It stands outside the grove.
U (Upton)
This is a former mining village the smallest part of sesku. Located higher than its neighbouring partners. There are bridal ways leading from Upton to neighbouring villages Bedworth and Thorpe Audlin from period of horse and cartridge used around 17th century.. The village has a lot of history from the time of Upton colliery 1937-1964 .During this period Upton was used to transport coal by small rail ways some which can still be found (although no longer used) The village also has an Historical Rail Tunnel which can be walked through built around the mining period it is around 1.5 miles long and reaches all the way to the A1 Barnsdale Bar. It is said that Robin Hood was originally from Barnsdale Bar.
Rail Tunnel that leads to Barnsdale Bar
